Guide Private hire

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5. Renewal of a private hire operator licence

You can apply to renew your private hire operator's licence for either 1 year or 5 years. 

How to apply

Before applying to renew your private hire operator licence you'll need to make sure that you can still meet the conditions of our hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy.

You'll need to let us have your renewal application at least a month before your licence expires. Documents can be sent via email to licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk or by post to Blackdown House, Border Road, Honiton EX14 1EJ.

What you'll need to provide

  • A completed and signed private hire operator's renewal application form containing
    • A 9-digit tax check code from HMRC. This is to check that you are registered with HMRC for tax and self-assessment, if necessary, and is now required by all authorities as part of the renewal process. You’ll need to provide this check code every time you renew.
  • Documents that demonstrate your right to work in the UK.  The Immigration Act 2016 now means that we have to check that all applicants for a private hire operator's licence have the right to work in the UK.  The list of documents that are acceptable can be found at the back of the application form.  If you've completed the right to work check before you won't need to do this again unless your right to work in the UK is not indefinite.

We can only renew your licence if your DBS check is up to date.  We carry out an enhanced criminal record check known as a DBS check for each of our private hire operators every 6 months.  We use a company called uCheck to provide these checks. If you are due to have a DBS check, you'll need to follow the guidance we will send you and begin your check online, then make an appointment to bring in 2 forms of identification so that we can countersign your DBS check.  The main documents acceptable for this are either your passport or original full birth certificate and a bank statement or utility bill which is less than 3 months old.  You'll also need to pay the fee of £67.  Once you have received your DBS check back remember to sign up to the DBS update service as this will satisfy the regular 6 monthly criminal records checks we have to undertake and is the most cost effective method.

 

Any fee you have to pay to complete this requirement is non refundable and is paid at your own risk.  We can't consider your renewal application if any of your documentation is out of date.

Payment

You'll need to pay a fee to us ro renew your private hire operator's licence.  Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost. 

Data Protection

Any personal information which you provide will be held and used by East Devon District Council for the purpose of the Licensing Service to process your private hire licence application(s) and administer any licence(s) which are granted. Your information may also be shared within East Devon District Council for the purposes of carrying out our lawful functions. Otherwise your personal information will not be disclosed to anybody outside East Devon District Council without your permission, unless there is a lawful reason to do so, for example disclosure is necessary for crime prevention or detection purposes. Your information will be held securely and will not be retained for any longer than is necessary. There are a number of rights available to you in relation to our use of your personal information, depending on the reason for processing. Further detail about our use of your personal information can be found in the relevant Privacy Notice.

Start the journey

More info about the journey

Before we can consider your application, we'll need to have:

  • your signed and completed application form
  • The application fee.   We will accept a cheque, or you can either pay over the phone, or request a payment link to be emailed to you when you submit your application, that you can use to make payment online with a card. 

We may also need:

  • A document demonstrating your right to work in the UK
  • Two further forms of identification
  • A criminal records check reference number if your DBS is due for renewal

We can't consider your application until we have all of the documentation we need.  The licensing officer looking after your case will let you know if there is information we are waiting for.

Once we have all of the information we need, your operator's licence will either be renewed by a licensing officer or it may need to be considered by the licensing sub committee.  If your application needs to be considered by the licensing sub committee we will let you know and you'll be sent notice of hearing documentation so that you can attend the hearing.